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Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. Senate Chuck Schumer for his recent speech advocating for new elections in Israel.
Schumer’s remarks, made on the Senate floor, have sparked controversy and drawn strong reactions from leaders on both sides.
In his speech, Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish U.S. elected official, voiced concerns over Netanyahu’s leadership, describing him as an impediment to peace.
He called for fresh elections in Israel, citing frustrations with Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict and his failure to address humanitarian concerns in the region.
“I think what he said is totally inappropriate. It’s inappropriate to go to a sister democracy and try to replace the elected leadership there.
The Israeli leader doubled down on his position during an appearance on Fox News, condemning the idea of a Palestinian state as a ” greatest reward for terrorism.” Netanyahu said in an interview
He pointed to Hamas’ actions in Gaza as evidence of the dangers posed by such a state, citing past attacks on Israelis and the region’s tumultuous history.
Despite President Joe Biden’s positive assessment of Schumer’s speech, with Biden describing it as a good speech, the White House has reiterated its stance on Israel’s sovereignty.
White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that decisions regarding internal politics should be left to the Israeli government and its people.
Kirby said, “We respect the sovereignty of the Israeli people. The president believes it’s up to the Israeli people and the Israeli government to determine if and when there’s going to be new elections.”
